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With the New Year coming up, it’s time to start thinking about your health resolutions – workout more, eat better and live a happier and healthier life. How long did you last time? If you’re like most of the world, your commitment to the gym probably didn’t last very long. According to Business Insider, 80 percent of fitness plans fail by February. So, how do you make sure you stick to your gym goals?

Finding a gym partner could be the answer to all your problems. If you’re still not convinced, check out these five reasons why you should get a gym buddy.

1. Accountability

How many times have you heard yourself say, “It’s okay, I’ll go tomorrow” or “I would go, but Game of Thrones is on”?

When you have a gym buddy, you have someone to challenge you, make you turn off the TV and head to the gym. According to the American Society of Training and Development, you have a 65 percent higher chance of completing your goals if it involves committing to someone. Accountability accelerates performance because in the end, canceling on ourselves may be easy, but canceling on someone else is a whole different story.

2. Motivation

There is something inspirational about teamwork, and therefore your motivation increases when you work out with someone else. When you see someone else doing the same workouts as you, you become more motivated to finish that last set or run that last mile. If your partner can do it, so can you.

3. Spotting

Ask any gym goer – having a spotter will make you push harder and further time and time again, in the moments of complete exhaustion. There might be times you have to stop before the last two reps because you’re unsure whether you can handle it.

However, with a spotting partner, you can push your workouts to the limit and know that someone is there to keep you safe.

4. Generates Competition

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone. According to a study by the Society of Behavioral Medicine, working out with a partner increased results and performance when competition was introduced to the pair.

People double their performance every time they worked out with a challenging buddy because they were pushed to perform better, faster, and longer.

5. Changes Up Your Routine

When you go to the gym, you tend to use the equipment that you’re most comfortable with. It can be hard to break out of your comfort zone, especially with so many people around. However, when you go with someone else, you have twice the knowledge and can teach each other different routines and sets. You’ll motivate each other to do certain activities that the other doesn’t like.

So, get off your couch, turn off the TV, and find yourself a gym buddy!

Original article by feature writer Jane Sandwood

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5 reasons why gym buddies are an absolute necessity was last modified: December 18th, 2017 by Laura Fitzpatrick